Being too close to our own spiritual lives can mean we miss blind spots that need addressing. “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalms 119:18 (KJV) John Newton, the author of the famous hymn Amazing Grace, became the captain of a slave-trade ship a year after his…
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 (ESV) I remember vividly a few years ago when I was introduced to a concept called grounding in a counseling session. I was recalling…
If there was one word to describe our lives today it might be uncertainty. We are uncertain about the potential of full-scale wars, economic upheaval, political divisions, racial unrest, school shootings, protest mobs, immigration crises, and the never-ending possibility of a new virus. Big issues which cause angst. Closer to home we don’t know about…
We can let our expectations get out of hand and become unreasonable in our attitudes. Or, you can bring beauty to your life and home. Being consumed by our expectations can bring unrest and make us unreasonable. But we can set them aside to bring beauty to our lives. Each year our family hosts a…
When you’re faced with unexpected circumstances, how can you respond in a way that is God-honoring and helpful? You know what it’s like. You have this vision of how you believe things will (or should) go. It’s a lovely vision–neat and tidy. But as things begin to unfold, they aren’t what you imagined and it’s…
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.Mark 1:35 What does it really mean to be alone? Getting alone is getting harder and harder in our culture. There is a constant noise that surrounds us and it…
Trusting in God’s character spreads across every aspect of our lives — including how we choose to live. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV) Lately, I’ve been studying…
Sometimes we don’t even realize how powerful God’s grace is in our lives until we find ourselves broken. “I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Revelation 3:8 ESV Laying in bed, I felt like a failure as a mother. I’d prided…
Sometimes we have seasons when we pull away or aren’t very intentional about drawing close—but we can still find our way back to God. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8 ESV The warm water poured down over my head, as my brain relaxed and soaked in the reset…
The normal, ordinary days can feel small and mundane. But these days are the make-up of our lives and help renew our strength. “Blessed by the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!” Psalm 68:19 In my opinion, the winter months feel at least three times as long as the…
When we face suffering, we may be tempted to wonder if God truly loves us. But maybe His love isn’t synonymous with our pain? “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” John 11:3 (ESV) It had been almost three years since my husband was first diagnosed with a type of blood cancer. Out of necessity, his…
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 ESV “Friendship doubles our joys and divides our griefs.” I’ve read that quote countless times over the years, starting in high school when my English teacher chalked it on the top right corner of the blackboard. The thought made sense to me then,…
….to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. (Titus 3:2b) Matt and I were definitely having our differences that day. Nor was this some mild dispute like whose turn it was to pick up the kids or who left the stove burner on. No, this disagreement had to do…
Discouragement can be self-inflicted if we don’t take our thoughts captive. “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5 ESV) Do you ever find yourself plagued with regrets? Or fears for the future? Things might be going well but then suddenly it seems as if a dark cloud closes…
Our children will learn real faith through real life. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 ESV I was bent over my phone, fully absorbed in a text message when I heard my nine-year-old son behind me,…
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